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LIA Names Guardian

CELINA — For her dedication to Grand Lake St. Marys and to the Lake Improvement Association (LIA), Gayle Meyer was honored with the Guardian of the Lake Award Saturday morning at the group’s monthly meeting.

“This person was chosen because of their tireless efforts to provide help, to organize and to run many of the projects that the LIA is involved in,” LIA President Tim Lovett said. “This person is directly responsible for the success of the annual kids fishing derby. This person has been a reason why the Barstool Open has continued and made it an event that is a major fundraiser for the LIA ... The lake and the LIA are fortunate to have a person who we feel is a true guardian of the lake.”

The award, Lovett said, recognizes someone who has been involved in efforts to improve Grand Lake St. Marys.

“One of the things that the Lake Improvement Association has done for a number of years is recognize individuals who have been very involved and very active in helping improve the water quality and the lake in general,” he said. “It’s really quite an honor to receive this.”

Meyer said she was humbled to be named this year’s recipient of the Guardian of the Lake.

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” she said. “I do try to help. I’ve been coming to this lake ever since I first started dating my husband, and that was in 1968, so I’ve become very attached to this lake and hate to see anything go wrong with it.”

She noted her dedication to Grand Lake St. Marys.

“My heart goes out to this lake and I try to do whatever I can to raise money to do things to help it,” she said.

After hearing feedback from members and the community about the oil derrick, Trustee Dave Meyer announced the project has been put on hold.

“Due to popular demand, we are putting this project on hold for now,” he said. “Timing was bad on the project and a lot of the membership and the public have spoken, so we’re just trying to do what everyone wants.”

The project, he said, will be assessed again in the future.

“It’s not a dead item,” he said. “Keep it in mind and we’ll fire this thing up in a year or two.”

Lovett noted ODNR Soil and Water Resources Deputy Director Karl Gebhardt will be at the December meeting to address any questions members have. Attendees will also vote for next year’s executive board members at the December meeting.

In other business, board members:

• Heard the board members’ reports.

• Heard from Auglaize and Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Donna Grube, who is planning next year’s Get the Carp Outta Here tournament. Grube said next year’s event will include tagged carp, which are worth $100 if caught. Grube is looking for sponsors to donate $100 for a tagged fish. Grube also asked LIA board members about being an event sponsor for a cost of $500, which members approved.

• Heard an update from Terry Mescher of ODNR Division of Soil and Water Resources.

The next regular meeting of the LIA will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Celina Moose Lodge.